hendrickson



March 22, 1955 J. M. HENDRICKSON ADJUSTABLEJAW PLIERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1954 Joseph M. Hendrickson INVENTOR. @3 0:-

March 22, 1955 .1. M. HENDRICKSON ADJUSTABLE JAW PLIERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1954 Joseph M. Hendn'ckson 4 v INVENTOR. BY @Zww United States Patent ADJUSTABLE JAW PLIERS Joseph M. Hendrickson, Red Oak, Okla.

Application May 20, 1954, Serial No. 431,202

4 Claims. (Cl. 8151.3)

This invention relates in general to improvements in hland tools, and more specifically to improved jaw-bone p 1ers.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved pliers which are so constructed the application of a slight pressure on the pair of spaced handles will result in the application of a relatively great pressure on a device or article held between jaws connected to the handles.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hand tool in the form of pliers, the pliers being so constructed whereby jaws thereof may be adjustably positioned relative to each other to initially receive an object to be clamped and which may be moved toward each other a relatively short distance with a tremendous pressure by the movement of handles thereof a relatively great distance.

Still another object of this invention is to provide improved pliers which includes a first handle having integral therewith a jaw, the first handle including a slide having slidably disposed therein a dog member, a second handle pivotally carried by the dog member and cammingly engaging a second jaw slidably carried by the first handle whereby the second jaw and second handle may be adjusted relative to the first handle and first jaw, respectively, and the second jaw may be moved a slight distance toward the first jaw from an adjusted position by pivoting of the handle so that articles of various sizes may be clamped between the jaws.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved connection between handles of adjustable pliers, the connection including an elongated slot in a first handle, the slot having a portion of its boundary in the form of a rack, a dog adjustably positioned within the slot and selectively engageable with the rack, and a second handle pivotally connected to the first handle through the means of the dog member whereby the second handle may be pivoted with respect to the first handle and at the same time may be slidably adjustably positioned with respect thereto.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in die details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the jaw-bone pliers which are the subject of this invention and shows the jaws thereof in closely adjacent adjusted position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure 1 and shows the relationship of a second jaw and second handle with respect to a first handle of the pliers;

Figure 3 is a rotated fragmentary plan view of the pliers of Figure 1 and shows the jaws thereof in spaced relation with respect to each other and the dog member for retaining one of the jaws in spaced relation with respect to the other jaw being in an inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 3 with portions of the jaws being broken away in order to clearly illustrate the relationship of the dog member with respect to the rack and one of the handles;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 1 and shows the relationship of the slid- 2,704,471 Patented Mar. 22, 1955 ing jaw with respect to the other jaw and its associated handle; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the pivotally mounted handle of the pliers and shows the general details of the various members carried thereby.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the jaw-bone pliers which are the subject of the invention include a fixed or first jaw member 10. Formed integral with the jaw member 10 is a fixed or first handle which is referred to in general by the reference nu meral 12. The first handle 12 includes an elongated grip portion 14 and a fiat forward portion 16. The forward portion 16 is connected directly to the first jaw 10 and is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw 10 and to the longitudinal axis of the grip portion 14.

The forward portion 16 includes an elongated slot 18 which extends longitudinally of the forward portion 16. The boundary of the slot 18 includes a rack 20. Disposed within the slot 18 and normally engaging the rack 20 is a dog member 22 which is best illustrated in Figure 6. An end portion of the dog member 22 includes a bore 24 therethrough in which is received a cylindrical spacer 26. The spacer 26 has a non-circular cross sectional bore 28 therethrough in which is received a similar cross sectional pivot pin 30. The pivot pin 30 is rigidly carried by a forward end of a second or pivotal handle which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 32. The second handle 32 includes an elongated grip portion 34 disposed adjacent the grip portion 14 of the first handle 12 The second handle 32 also includes an offset forward end portion 36 which is best illustrated in Figure 2.

Slidably mounted on the forward portion 16 is a second or slidable jaw which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 38. The second jaw 38 includes an inner or rear bifurcated end formed by a pair of spaced parallel legs 40. The legs 40 straddle the forward portion 16 of the first handle 12 and guidiugly engage the same.

As is best illustrated in Figures 5' and 6, the pivot pin 30 has carried thereby for rotation therewith a pair of spaced cam members 42. The cam members 42 have a circular outline and are rotatably received within circular openings 44 in the legs 40. A pivot pin 30 is retained in position relative to the jaw 38 by a washer 46 which overlies the leg 40 remote from the second handle 32 and a nut 48 threadedly engaged on a threaded end portion 50 of the pivot pin 30.

Due to the provision of the spacer 26, the dog member 22 is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 30. A spring 52 carried by the dog member 22 engages the boundary of the slot 18 remote from the rack 20 to normally retain the dog member 22 in locking engagement with the rack 20. In order to permit releasing of the dog member 22 from the rack 20, there is provided a generally camshaped dog control member 54. The dog control member 54 is carried by the pivot pin 30 for rotation therewith and is disposed between the forward portion 16 of the first handle 12 and the leg 40 of the second jaw 38 remote from the second handle 32. The dog control member 54 includes a projection 56, which is best illustrated in Figure 6, which is engageable with a pin 58 carried by the dog member 22, as is best illustrated in Figure 4. Thus, by rotating the pivot pin 30, it is possible to move the dog member 22 out of locking engagement with the rack 20 and to slide the dog member 22, the pivot pin 30, the second handle 32, the second jaw 38 and all of the smaller parts carried by the pivot pin 30 as a unit with respect to the forward portion 16 so that the jaw 38 may be moved away from the jaw 10. It is to be noted that the dog member 22 is moved out of engagement with the rack 20 by pivoting the handle 32 away from the handle 12. Once the dog member 22 has been slid to an adjusted position within the slot 18, the handle 32 is pivoted slightly toward the handle 12 to set or engage the dog 22 with respect to the rack 20. This having been accomplished, the jaws 10 and 38 are positioned about a member to be clamped therebetween. Then by further pivoting the handle 32 towards the handle 12, the cam members 42 are rotated within their respective openings 44 to cause slight sliding movement of the second jaw 38 with respect to the first jaw 10. Only a slight amount of movement is involved despite the fact that the second handle 32 is moved a considerable distance, it will be seen that due to the provision of the cam members 42 a relative great amount of force may be imposed upon the article being clamped between the jaws and 38. Further, due to the provision 'of the cam members 42, there is tendency for the jaw 38 to remain in an adjusted position relative to the jaw 10 inasmuch as a backward transmittal of force cannot be transferred very well to the handle 32.

In order that an article may be more effectively gripped between the jaws 10 and 38, they are provided with suitable teeth 60. Further, in order that wire or other small articles may be cut, the first jaw 10 is provided with an article receiving recess 62 adjacent its inner end and the second jaw 38 is provided with a projecting cutter blade 64 aligned with the recess 62.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Jaw-bone pliers comprising a first jaw, 21 first handle integral with said first jaw, a second jaw slidably carried by said first handle. a second handle pivotally connected-to said second jaw, a dog member carried by said second handle engaged with said first handle retaining said second handle in selected adjusted relation relative to said first handle, cam means interposed between said second handle and second jaw to slide said second jaw along said first handle in response to pivoting of said second handle, spring means urging said dog member towards locking engagement with said first handle, a dog control member carried by said second handle to facilitate disengagement of said dog member from said first handle.

2. Jaw-bone pliers comprising a first jaw, a first handle integral with said first jaw, a second jaw slidably carried by said first handle, a second handle pivotally connected to said second jaw, a dog member carried by said second handle engaged with said first handle retaining said second handle in selected adjusted relation relative to said first handle, cam means interposed between said second handle and second jaw to slide said second jaw along said first handle in response to pivoting of said second handle, spring means urging said dog member towards locking engagement with said first handle, a dog control member carried by said second handle to facilitate disengagement of said dog member from said first handle, said dog member being pivotally carried by said second handle.

3. J aw-bone pliers comprising a first jaw, a first handle integral with said first jaw, a second jaw slidably carried by said first handle, a second handle pivotally connected to said second jaw, a dog member carried by said second handle engaged with said first handle retaining said second handle in selected adjusted relation relative to said first handle, cam means interposed between said second handle and second jaw to slide said second jaw along said first handle in response to pivoting of said second handle, said second handle carrying a pivot pin, said pivot pin carrying said cam means for rotation therewith, said cam means including a cam plate seated in said second aw.

4. Jaw-bone pliers comprising a first jaw, a first handle integral with said first jaw, a second jaw slidably carried by said first handle, a second handle pivotally connected to saidsecond jaw, a dog member carried by said second handle engaged with said first handle retaining said second handle in selected adjusted relation relative to said first handle, cam means interposed between said second handle and second jaw to slide said second jaw along said first handle in response to pivoting of said second handle, said second handle carrying rigidly a pivot pin, said pivot pin carrying said cam means for rotation therewith, said cam means including a cam plate seated in said second jaw, said second jaw supporting said second handle relative to said first handle, said pivot pin being rotatably received in said dog member, said first handle having an elongated slot disposed immediately adjacent said first jaw, said slot having a boundary including an elongated rack, said dog member being disposed within said slot and engaged with said rack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 432,079 Quinlan July 15, 1890 666,433 Odegaard Jan. 22, 1901 2,375,082 Colley May 1, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 382,076 France Nov. 29, 1907 

